Albarino eyes his 5th win in a row

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - After adding a new dimension in his seasonal debut, Albarino is the horse to beat in Sunday's featured $40,000 Free Press Stakes here at Assiniboia Downs. Albarino is one of four horses who will be sent out by trainer Carl Anderson in the Free Press, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds and upward.

Five of the six races Albarino won prior to the six-furlong allowance prep for the Free Press were at one mile or longer, and his only victory at less than a mile came here in a two-turn 7 1/2-furlong race.

His 2006 debut was the first win in a one-turn race for Albarino, a 5-year-old gelding bred and owned by Ross McKague. Albarino, a son of Langfuhr, extended his win streak to four with his most recent effort.

In addition to Albarino, Anderson will saddle Lord Shogun, Resurgent, and Simply Regal for the Free Press.

Lord Shogun, who should set the early pace, finished third, three lengths back of Albarino, in his most recent effort on June 2. Resurgent and Simply Regal exit a May 27 third-level allowance race which was won by Plenty of Heat, who also runs in the Free Press.

Like Albarino, Plenty of Heat added new dimensions when he won his local debut on May 27. That win was his first in 17 attempts over a fast track and his first in a sprint. Plenty of Heat is trained by Clay Brinson.

Silver Fury, the last horse to beat Albarino, was third, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Plenty of Heat, in his most recent start.

Raggidy Rowe finished a game second to Albarino in his first local start against older horses last time out.

Dancing Liver moves up in class after winning over $10,000 claimers and second-level allowance company in his first two starts locally.

Rounding out the field are Bold 'n Keen and Mindy's Island, both of whom appear to be significantly overmatched.